Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine includes a plurality of suspension units through which a tub is supported by a cabinet, and a stabilizer unit mounted to the tub. When horizontal vibration displacement of the tub occurs by unbalance mass during washing/dehydration processes, the washing machine limits tub displacement according to the attenuation effect caused by torsional force and bending force of the stabilizer unit, resulting in reduction of excessive vibration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2015-0087118 and 10-2015-0164275, respectively filed on Jun. 19, 2015and Nov. 23, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a structure for reducingvibration of a tub of a washing machine, and more particularly to awashing machine including a stabilizer unit configured to reducevibration of a tub during washing/dehydration operations by a stabilizerbar configured to interconnect a suspension unit and the tub.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is an apparatus to wash laundry using electricity, andgenerally includes a tub to store wash water, a spin basket (rotary tub)rotatably installed in the tub, a pulsator rotatably installed on thebottom of the spin basket, and a motor and a clutch assembly to rotatethe spin basket and the pulsator. The washing machine further includesan external frame to support weight of the tub and a suspension unit tointerconnect the tub and the external frame.

The suspension unit connected to the washing machine is configured toreduce movement of the tub by force through which the tub moves in up,down, left, and right directions according to rotation of the pulsatorand the spin basket during washing and dehydration processes. Thesuspension unit includes a suspension bar connected to a frame formingthe external appearance of the washing machine, a spring, and africtional damper. The suspension bar is suspended from an upper cornerof the frame, and is connected to the bottom of the tub so as to supportthe weight of the tub. The spring for absorbing vibration is configuredto attenuate vibration using frictional force based on a displacement.

A conventional suspension device includes a spring and a damperinstalled in a longitudinal direction of the suspension bar, such thatvertical vibration and horizontal vibration can be absorbed according tothe installation angles of the spring and the damper. Various kinds ofsuspension devices are generally used according to various useconditions and various damping schemes, for example, an silence-typesuspension device, a case-shaped suspension device, a hybrid-typesuspension device, etc.

After a tub is installed in the frame of the conventional suspensiondevice, the conventional suspension device supports the weight andvibration of the tub during washing/dehydrating processes. Theconventional suspension device generally absorbs and attenuates onlyvertical vibration by the spring and the frictional damper installed inthe longitudinal direction. Attenuation weight corresponding to ahorizontal vector component calculated by the installation angle of thesuspension device is applied to horizontal vibration, such thatvibration attenuation relatively lower than in the horizontal directionis carried out. In other words, if the suspension attachment angle islarge, vertical attenuation force decreases whereas the attenuationweight increases. In contrast, if the suspension attachment angle issmall, horizontal attenuation weight decreases whereas verticalattenuation weight increases.

Therefore, if the user desires to increase capacity by increasing only atub diameter within the same frame width, the suspension attachmentangle must be set to a small angle, such that horizontal attenuationforce is reduced and horizontal vibration displacement caused by tubvibration is increased. As a result, the conventional suspension deviceunavoidably contacts the frame, and has difficulty to overcome suchvibration displacement, resulting in reduction of washing ability oflaundry.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide awashing machine to which stabilizer (anti-roll bar) technology forreducing horizontal vibration displacement (such as vehicle rollingvibration) in a vehicle equipped with an independent suspension deviceis applied, and limits tub displacement according to the attenuationeffect caused by torsional force and bending force of a stabilizer unitwhen horizontal vibration displacement of the tub occurs by unbalancemass during washing/dehydration processes, resulting in reduction ofexcessive vibration.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a pluralityof suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, andinterconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported bythe cabinet; and a stabilizer unit configured to interconnect theplurality of suspension units, and mounted to the tub.

The stabilizer unit may include: at least one stabilizer bar, both endsof which are connected to at least two suspension units from among theplurality of suspension units; and a mounting member configured to mountthe at least one stabilizer bar to the tub.

The stabilizer unit may include: a connection member to connect the atleast one stabilizer bar to the suspension unit, wherein the at leastone stabilizer bar is mounted to a lateral surface of the tub by themounting member.

The at least one stabilizer bar may include a first stabilizer barmounted to a left side of the tub and a second stabilizer bar mounted toa right side of the tub.

The stabilizer bar may include four stabilizer bars respectively mountedto front, rear, left and right sides of the tub.

The connection member may connect two adjacent stabilizer bars to onesuspension bar.

The at least one stabilizer bar may be arranged at the bottom surface ofthe tub by the mounting member.

The stabilizer bar may include two stabilizer bars arranged in parallelat left and right sides of the bottom surface of the tub.

The stabilizer bar may include two stabilizer bars arranged in parallelat front and rear sides of the bottom surface of the tub.

The stabilizer bar may be arranged at lateral and bottom surfaces of thetub by the mounting member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a pluralityof suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, andinterconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported bythe cabinet; and a stabilizer unit configured to connect the tub to theplurality of suspension units. The stabilizer unit may include: astabilizer bar configured to enclose some parts of a lateral surface ofthe tub in a circumferential direction; a mounting member configured tomount the stabilizer bar to the lateral surface of the tub; and aconnection member configured to connect the stabilizer bar to theplurality of suspension units.

The mounting member includes a convex part through which the stabilizerbar passes, and a fixing portion fixed to the tub. The stabilizer barmay pass through the convex part of the mounting portion in a mannerthat the stabilizer bar performs the rotational motion and moves in acircumferential direction along the external surface of the tub. Thestabilizer bar may be mounted and fixed to the tub by the fixingportion.

The stabilizer unit may include a bush disposed between the convex partof the mounting member and the at least one stabilizer bar so as tosuppress vibration and noise.

Each of the plurality of suspension units may include a suspension, aspring, and a damper. The stabilizer bar may be connected to thesuspension bar by the connection member.

Both ends of the stabilizer bar may be bent at a predetermined angle soas to receive bending force. Both ends of the stabilizer bar may beconnected to different suspension units by the connection member so asto receive torsional force.

The stabilizer bar may be formed to have a cross-sectional view having ahollow circular shape.

The connection member may include a first accommodation portion toaccommodate one end of the stabilizer bar and a second accommodationportion to accommodate the suspension bar.

The stabilizer bar may pass through the first accommodation portion ofthe connection member in a manner that one end of the stabilizer bar mayperform the rotational motion and the longitudinal translational motion.

The second accommodation portion of the connection member may beconnected to the suspension bar in such a manner that the connectionmember may rotate about the suspension bar and may perform thetranslational motion in the longitudinal direction of the suspensionbar.

The second accommodation portion of the connection member may include acut part through which the second accommodation portion is snap-coupledto the suspension bar.

The stabilizer bar may include a bush to suppress vibration and noise inthe first accommodation portion of the connection member.

The stabilizer bar may include a felt to suppress vibration and noise inthe first accommodation portion of the connection member.

One end of the stabilizer bar may be accommodated in the firstaccommodation portion of the connection member so as to prevent thestabilizer bar from escaping from the connection member.

The connection member may be formed of rubber. The first accommodationportion and the second accommodation portion may be formed in the shapeof through-holes arranged in parallel to each other.

The stabilizer unit may include a plastic bush disposed in the secondaccommodation portion of the connection member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a pluralityof suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, andinterconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported bythe cabinet; and a stabilizer unit configured to connect the tub to theplurality of suspension units. The stabilizer unit may include astabilizer bar disposed at the bottom surface of the tub, and a mountingmember to mount the stabilizer bar to the bottom surface of the tub. Thesuspension unit may include a connection portion to connect the at leastone stabilizer bar to the plurality of suspension units.

The mounting member may include a convex part through which thestabilizer bar passes, and a fixing portion fixed to the tub. Thestabilizer bar may pass through the convex part of the mounting portionin a manner that the stabilizer bar may rotate and move in alongitudinal direction. The stabilizer bar may be mounted to the tub bythe fixing portion.

The suspension unit may include the connection portion located at alower end thereof, and the connection unit may include an accommodationhole through which the stabilizer bar passes.

The accommodation hole may be formed to have a longer longitudinaldirection of the suspension unit in a manner that the stabilizer bar maymove in the longitudinal direction of the suspension unit.

The suspension unit may include a bush to suppress vibration and noisein the accommodation hole of the connection portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a pluralityof suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, andinterconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported bythe cabinet; and a stabilizer unit configured to interconnect theplurality of suspension units, and mounted to the tub. The stabilizerunit may include: at least one stabilizer bar, both ends of which areconnected to at least two suspension units from among the plurality ofsuspension units; and a mounting member configured to mount the at leastone stabilizer bar to the tub.

The washing machine may further include: a mounting portion mounted toan external surface of the tub such that the mounting member is mountedthereto, wherein the mounting member includes a buffering memberaccommodated in the mounting portion, and a fixing member which fixesthe buffering member to the mounting portion.

The mounting portion may include a first portion extending from alateral surface of the tub, and a second portion spaced apart from thefirst portion and extended from a lateral surface; and the fixing memberincludes a head supported by the first portion of the mounting portion,and at least one fixing pin extending from the head so as to passthrough the mounting portion and the buffering member.

The at least one fixing pin may be formed in a cylindrical shape havinga hollow, and the at least one fixing pin and the head may beelastically deformed.

The fixing member may include a separation prevention portion in the atleast one fixing pin so as to prevent the fixing member from escapingfrom the mounting portion.

The separation prevention portion may be formed of an elastic hookcaught into the second portion of the mounting portion.

The buffering member may include: a body formed of an elastic material;a first through-hole disposed in the body so as to accommodate thestabilizer bar; and at least one second through-hole disposed in thebody so as to accommodate the at least one fixing pin.

The first through-hole may include a cut part through which thestabilizer bar is accommodated through the lateral surface of the firstthrough-hole.

Each of the plurality of suspension units may include a suspension barand a suspension cap. The stabilizer unit may include a connectionmember configured to connect the at least one stabilizer bar to thesuspension bar. The connection member may include a first accommodationportion to accommodate one end of the stabilizer bar and a secondaccommodation portion to accommodate the suspension bar.

The first accommodation portion may include: a body through which thestabilizer bar passes; and a coupling portion extending from the body soas to be coupled to the second accommodation portion.

The connection member may include: a buffering member disposed in thebody of the first accommodation portion so as to enclose the stabilizerbar.

One end of the body of the first accommodation portion may include aninsertion hole in which the buffering member is inserted. The connectionmember may include a cap mounted to one end of the body of the firstaccommodation portion so as to prevent separation of the bufferingmember. The cap may include a through-hole through which the stabilizerbar passes, and a recess to store a lubricant to be supplied to thethrough-hole.

The other end of the body of the first accommodation portion may includea through-hole through which the stabilizer bar passes, and a recess tostore a lubricant to be supplied to the through-hole.

The body of the first accommodation portion may include a catchingportion to prevent separation of the cap, and the cap may include acatching hole in which the catching portion is caught.

The second accommodation portion may include: a body to accommodate thesuspension bar; and a coupling protrusion through which the secondaccommodation portion is hinged to the first accommodation portion,wherein the coupling protrusion extends from the body of the secondaccommodation portion, and the coupling portion of the firstaccommodation portion includes a coupling hole to accommodate thecoupling protrusion.

The coupling portion of the first accommodation portion may include aramp portion configured to guide the coupling protrusion in a mannerthat the second accommodation portion is easily snap-coupled. Thecoupling protrusion of the second accommodation portion may include atapered part through which the coupling protrusion easily enters theramp portion.

The body of the second accommodation portion may include a through-holeconfigured to accommodate the suspension bar, wherein the through-holeincludes a cut part through which the suspension bar is accommodatedthrough a lateral surface of the through-hole.

A recess to store a lubricant therein may be provided at the internalsurface of the through-hole.

The first accommodation portion may include a temporary fixing portiondetachably coupled to the suspension cap.

The suspension cap may include a head supported by the cabinet, and acollar extending from the head so as to accommodate one end of thesuspension bar. The temporary fixing portion may include a ring-shapedbase connected to one end of the body of the second accommodationportion, and a coupling portion extending from the base so as toaccommodate the collar. The coupling portion may be formed in a serratedshape for facilitation of elastic deformation.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a washingmachine includes: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a suspensionunit configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, and connect the tubto the cabinet such that the tub is supported by the cabinet; and astabilizer unit configured to connect the suspension unit to the tub.The stabilizer unit may include: a V-shaped stabilizer bar, both ends ofwhich are connected to the suspension unit and the tub; a mountingmember arranged in a manner that one end of the stabilizer bar ismounted to the tub; and a connection member configured to connect theother end of the stabilizer bar to the suspension unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machineaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating some parts of FIG.2.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the connection member of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view illustrating the connection member of FIG.5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view illustrating the connection member of FIG.6A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view illustrating the connection member of FIG.8A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating some parts of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating some parts of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a stabilizer unit mounted toa tub of a washing machine according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating one surface of a fixingmember of the stabilizer unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the other surface of thefixing member of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a buffering member of thestabilizer unit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first accommodationportion of the connection member of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top view illustrating a second accommodation portion of theconnection member of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a second accommodationportion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating that the second accommodation portion ofFIG. 21 is temporarily fixed to a suspension cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

Terms “front end”, “rear end”, “upper part,” “lower part,” “upper end,”and “lower end” are defined based on the drawings and do not limitshapes and positions of components. A singular expression may include aplural expression unless otherwise stated in the context.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a washing machineaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 formingan external appearance of the washing machine 1, a tub 11 disposed inthe cabinet 10 to store water therein, a washing tub 12 rotatablydisposed in the tub 11, and a pulsator 50 disposed in the washing tub 12to produce a water current.

An introduction port 24, through which laundry is introduced into thewashing tub 12, is formed at the top of the cabinet 10. The introductionport 24 is opened and closed by a door 23 mounted at the top of thecabinet 10. The cabinet 10 may be supported on the cabinet 10 by asuspension unit 80.

A water supply pipe 17 to supply wash water to the tub 11 is installedat the upper portion of the tub 11. One side of the water supply pipe 17is connected to an external water source, and the other side of thewater supply pipe 17 is connected to a detergent feed portion 16. Watersupplied through the water supply pipe 17 passes through the detergentfeed portion 16 and thus water and a detergent are supplied into the tub11 together. A water supply valve 18 may be installed in the watersupply pipe 17 to control supply of water.

The washing tub 12 is formed in the shape of a cylinder having an opentop, and multiple spin-dry holes 13 are formed on a lateral surface ofthe washing tub 12. A balancer 14 may be mounted to the upper portion ofthe washing tub 12 to ensure stable rotation of the washing tub 12 whenthe washing tub 12 rotates at a high speed.

Installed at the exterior of the lower portion of the tub 11 are a motor25 to generate driving force to rotate the washing tub 12 and thepulsator 50, and a power transmission unit 26 to simultaneously orselectively transfer the driving force generated by the motor 25 to thewashing tub 12 and the pulsator 50.

A hollow spin-dry shaft 29 may be coupled to the washing tub 12, and awashing shaft 27, which is installed at a hollow portion of the hollowspin-dry shaft 29, may be coupled to the pulsator 50 through a washingshaft coupling portion 28. The motor 25 may simultaneously orselectively transfer the driving force to the washing tub 12 and thepulsator 50 according to the elevation operation of the powertransmission unit 26.

The power transmission unit 26 may include an actuator 30 to generatedriving force for power transmission, a rod 31 to rectilinearly moveaccording to operation of the actuator 30, and a clutch 32 connected tothe rod 31 to rotate according to operation of the rod 31.

A drainage port 20 to discharge wash water stored in the tub 11 may beformed at the bottom of the tub 11, and a first drainage pipe 21 isconnected to the drainage port 20. A drainage valve 22 to regulatedrainage may be installed at the first drainage pipe 21. The outlet ofthe drainage valve 22 may be connected to a second drainage pipe 34 todischarge the wash water to the outside.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective viewillustrating some parts of FIG. 2. In FIGS. 2 to 10, it is assumed thatthe direction of an arrow (A) shown in FIG. 2 is set to a forwarddirection of the washing machine.

The suspension unit 80 may be disposed in the cabinet 10 to attenuatevibration of the tub 11. In more detail, the suspension unit 80 isconnected not only to a first holder formed at the upper part of theinternal surface of the cabinet 10 but also to a second holder 70 formedat the lower part of the external surface of the tub 11, such that itcan absorb or buffer vibration and shock received from the tub 11. Thepositions of the first holder 60 and the second holder 70 may be changedas necessary.

The suspension unit 80 may include a suspension cap 84, a suspension bar81, a spring 83, and a damper 82. The suspension cap 84 may be arrangedat the top and bottom of the suspension bar 81 in a manner that thesuspension bar 81 is easily coupled to the first holder 60 and thesecond holder 70. The spring 83 and the damper 82 may be provided belowthe suspension bar 81, and may be contracted and relaxed by vibrationand impact received from the tub 11, such that the vibration and impactcan be buffered and attenuated.

The stabilizer unit 100 is mounted to the tub 11, and is arranged tointerconnect two suspension units 80.

Although the suspension unit 80 may attenuate vertical vibration andhorizontal vibration according to the installation angle, the suspensionunit 80 can generally attenuate vertical vibration because a verticalvector component has a high value.

The stabilizer unit 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is mounted to the tub 11 so as to horizontally interconnecttwo suspension units 80, such that horizontal vibration of the tub 11 isattenuated.

Since the stabilizer unit 100 limits the horizontal vibration of the tub11, the suspension unit 80 is installed at a nearly right angle,resulting in increased capacity of the tub 11 within the cabinet 10. Asa result, since the horizontal vibration displacement is smallirrespective of a shorter distance between the tub 11 and the cabinet10, the tub 11 is prevented from contacting the cabinet 10 and noiseoccurrence can also be prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the stabilizer unit 100 may include astabilizer bar 110 having a predetermined length through which twosuspension units 80 can be connected to each other, and a mountingmember 120 configured to mount the stabilizer bar 110 to the tub 11.

The stabilizer bar 110 may be mounted to the external surface of the tub11 by the mounting member 120. Preferably, the stabilizer bar 110 may bemounted to the upper portion of the external surface of the tub 11. Thestabilizer bar 110 may be formed to have a cross-sectional view having ahollow circular shape, and may be curved to correspond to a curvature ofthe external surface of the tub 11 in a manner that some parts of theexternal surface of the cylindrical tub 11 are enclosed by thestabilizer bar 110 in a circumferential direction.

If necessary, two stabilizer bars 110 may be respectively arranged atboth sides of the tub 11. That is, the first stabilizer bar 110 may bearranged at one side of the tub 11, and the second stabilizer bar 110may be arranged at the other side of the tub 11. Each stabilizer bar 110may be arranged to interconnect two suspension units 80 arranged at thefront and rear parts of each side.

The stabilizer bar 110 may include a center part 111 curved and mountedto the external surface of the tub 11, and an end part 112 curved at apredetermined angle in a manner that the stabilizer bar 110 can beconnected to the suspension bar 81.

The mounting member 120 may fix the center part 111 of the stabilizerbar 110 at the side surface of the tub 11. The stabilizer bar 110 mayrotate about the center axis of the stabilizer bar 110 by the mountingmember 120, and may be mounted in a manner that the stabilizer bar 110can move in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the circumferentialdirection of the tub 11) of the stabilizer bar 110 along the externalsurface of the tub 11.

The mounting member 120 may include a convex part 122 through which thecenter part of the stabilizer bar 110 passes, and a fixing portion 121fixed to the tub 11. The mounting member 120 may be fixed to the tub 11by a fixing member such as a bolt contained in the fixing portion 121. Abush 123 for suppressing vibration and noise generated by contactbetween the mounting member 120 and the stabilizer bar 110 may bedisposed in the convex part 122. The bush 123 may be formed of rubber.The bush 123 may allow the stabilizer bar 110 to minimize translationalmotion and rotational motion by frictional force.

The stabilizer unit 100 may include a connection member 130 to connectthe stabilizer bar 110 to the suspension unit 80. In more detail, theend part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 may be connected to thesuspension bar 81 of the suspension unit 80 through the connectionmember 130.

The connection member 130 may be formed of a plastic material. Theconnection member 130 may include a first accommodation portion 131 toaccommodate the end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110, and a secondaccommodation portion 132 to accommodate the suspension bar 81. The endpart 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 may pass through the firstaccommodation portion 131 of the connection member 130.

The end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 may rotate about the centeraxis of the stabilizer bar 110 within the first accommodation portion131, and may perform the translational motion in the longitudinaldirection. In addition, the suspension bar 81 may pass through thesecond accommodation portion 132 of the connection member 130, such thatthe connection member 130 can perform the rotational motion on the basisof the suspension bar 81 and can also perform the translational motionin the longitudinal direction of the suspension bar 81.

The first accommodation portion 131 of the connection member 130 mayinclude a bush 133 to suppress vibration and noise generated by contactwith the stabilizer bar 110. The bush 133 may be formed of rubber. Thebush 133 may allow the end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 tominimize the translational motion and the rotational motion byfrictional force. In addition, the second accommodation portion 132 ofthe connection member 130 may include a cut part 134 through which theconnection member 130 can be snap-coupled to the suspension bar 81.

The center part 111 of the stabilizer bar 110 is coupled to the tub 11,and both end parts 112 are coupled to the suspension bar 81, such thatbending force and torsional force may be applied to the stabilizer bar110 by movement of the tub 11. Specifically, if the dehydration speedincreases on the condition that unbalance mass is applied to the washingtub 12 after completion of the washing or rinsing process, vibration isamplified in a transition section by resonance, such that horizontal andvertical vibration displacements unavoidably increase. In this case,torsional force and bending force occur in the stabilizer bar 110, suchthat the increasing displacement of the tub 11 can be reduced by theattenuation effect acquired by the stabilizer bar 110. Tub displacementincreased by the attenuation effect of the stabilizer bar 110 can bereduced. Of course, the increase of tub displacement according toexcessive tangled laundry is attenuated during the washing process,resulting in reduction in tub displacement.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit. FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the connection member ofFIG. 4A.

The connection member 140 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may be formed inshape and constituent material in a similar way to the connection member130 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The same characteristics between theconnection member 140 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and the connection member 130of FIGS. 2 and 3 will herein be omitted for convenience of description.A felt 143, instead of the bush formed of rubber, may be disposed in thefirst accommodation portion 141 of the connection member 140 shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. In addition, a cap 144 may be disposed at one end ofthe first accommodation portion 141 so as to prevent separation of thefelt 143. The felt 143 may function as a frictional damper (such as arubber bush) configured to suppress vibration and noise.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a connectionmember of the stabilizer unit according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 6B is an exploded view illustrating theconnection member of FIG. 6A. FIG. 5B is an exploded view illustratingthe connection member of FIG. 5A.

The connection member 150 shown in FIGS. 5A and 6B may be formed of aplastic material. The connection member 150 may be formed by connectionbetween the upper portion 151 and the lower portion 152. The upperportion 151 may be connected to the lower portion 152 through a couplingmember such as a screw. Therefore, several connection holes 153 may beformed in the connection member 150. In addition, a connectionprotrusion 154 and a connection groove (not shown) may be provided toassist correct connection between the upper portion 151 and the lowerportion 152.

The connection member 150 may include a first accommodation portion 155to accommodate the end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 and a secondaccommodation portion 156 to accommodate the suspension bar 81. The endpart 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 may be bent at least once to preventthe rotational motion and the translational motion, and thenaccommodated in the first accommodation portion 155 of the connectionmember 150.

The suspension bar 81 may pass through the second accommodation portion156 of the connection member 150, such that the connection member 150can perform the rotational motion about the suspension bar 81 and canperform the translational motion in the longitudinal direction of thesuspension bar 81.

The second accommodation portion 156 of the connection member 150 shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B may be formed to include through-holes through whichthe suspension bar 81 passes. The second accommodation portion 157 ofthe connection member 150 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include a cutpart 158 through which the connection member 150 is snap-coupled to thesuspension bar 81.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a connection member of thestabilizer unit according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating a connectionmember of the stabilizer unit according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 8B is an exploded view illustrating theconnection member of FIG. 8A.

The connection member 160 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8B may be formed ofrubber. The connection member 160 may include a first accommodationportion 161 to accommodate the end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110and a second accommodation portion 162 to accommodate the suspension bar81. The first accommodation portion 161 and the second accommodationportion 162 of the connection member 160 may be formed in through-holesarranged in parallel to each other.

The end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 accommodated in the firstaccommodation portion 161 of the connection member 160 may be bent to bearranged in parallel to the suspension bar 81, and may pass through thefirst accommodation portion 161. The end part 112 of the stabilizer bar110 may rotate about the center axis of the stabilizer bar 110 in thefirst accommodation portion 161 of the connection member 160, and mayalso perform the translational motion in the longitudinal direction inthe first accommodation portion 161 of the connection member 160.

Since the connection member 160 is formed of rubber, vibration and noisegenerated by contact with the stabilizer bar 110 can be suppressed, andthe end part 112 of the stabilizer bar 110 can minimize the longitudinaltranslational motion and the rotational motion by frictional force.

In addition, the suspension bar 81 may be arranged to pass through thesecond accommodation portion 162 of the connection member 160, such thatthe connection member 160 can rotate about the suspension bar 81 and canalso perform the translational motion in the longitudinal direction ofthe suspension bar 81.

The connection member 160 of FIG. 7 does not include an additional bushin the second accommodation portion 162, such that the longitudinaltranslational motion and rotational motion of the suspension bar 81 canbe minimized by frictional force. In the meantime, a separate bush 163formed of plastic may be disposed in the second accommodation portion162 of the connection member 160 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, such that theconnection member 160 can easily perform the longitudinal translationalmotion and rotational motion of the suspension bar 81.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to another embodimentof the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective viewillustrating some parts of FIG. 9.

The tub and the suspension unit of the washing machine shown in FIG. 9are identical in structure to those of the washing machine shown in FIG.2, and as such a detailed description thereof will herein be omitted forconvenience of description.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the stabilizer unit 200 may include astabilizer bar 210 having a predetermined length through which twosuspension units 80 can be connected to each other, and a mountingmember 120 configured to mount the stabilizer bar 210 to the tub 11.

The stabilizer bar 210 may be mounted to the external surface of the tub11 by the mounting member 220. Preferably, the stabilizer bar 210 may bemounted to the upper portion of the external surface of the tub 11. Thestabilizer bar 210 may be formed to have a cross-sectional view having ahollow circular shape, and may be curved to correspond to a curvature ofthe external surface of the tub 11 in a manner that some parts of theexternal surface of the tub 11 are enclosed by the stabilizer bar 110 inthe circumferential direction.

If necessary, two stabilizer bars 210 may be arranged at four sides(front, rear, left, right) of the tub 11, and each stabilizer bar 210may be arranged to interconnect two adjacent suspension units 80. Thatis, the front stabilizer bar 210 may interconnect left and rightsuspension units 80 arranged in a forward direction of the tub 11, theleft stabilizer bar 210 may interconnect front and rear suspension units80 arranged in a left direction of the tub 11, the right stabilizer bar210 may interconnect front and rear suspension units 80 arranged in aright direction of the tub 11, and the rear stabilizer bar 210 mayinterconnect left and right suspension units 80 in a backward directionof the tub 11.

The stabilizer bar 210 may include a center part 211 curved and mountedto the external surface of the tub 11, and an end part 212 curved at apredetermined angle is disposed at both ends of the stabilizer bar 210such that the end part 212 is connected to the suspension bar 81.

The mounting member shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be identical instructure and shape to those of FIGS. 2 and 3, and as such a detaileddescription thereof will herein be omitted for convenience ofdescription.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the stabilizer unit 200 may include aconnection member 230 to connect the stabilizer bar 210 to thesuspension bar 81. In more detail, the end part 212 of the stabilizerbar 210 may be connected to the suspension bar 81 of the suspension unit80 through the connection member 230. Two stabilizer bars 210 must beconnected to one suspension unit 80, such that the connection member 230may include two first accommodation portions 231, each of whichaccommodates the end part 212 of the stabilizer bar 210, and one secondaccommodation portion 232 to accommodate the suspension bar 81.

The end part 212 of the stabilizer bar 210 may pass through the firstaccommodation portion 231 of the connection member 230, such that theend part 212 of the stabilizer bar 210 may rotate about the center axisof the stabilizer bar 210 within the first accommodation portion 231 andmay also perform the translational motion in the longitudinal direction.In addition, the suspension bar 81 may pass through the secondaccommodation portion 232 of the connection member 230, such that theconnection member 230 can perform the rotational motion on the basis ofthe suspension bar 81 and can also perform the translational motion inthe longitudinal direction of the suspension bar 81.

The first accommodation portion 231 of the connection member 230 mayinclude a bush 233 to suppress vibration and noise generated by contactwith the stabilizer bar 210. The bush 233 may be formed of rubber. Thebush 133 may allow the end part 212 of the stabilizer bar 210 tominimize the longitudinal translational motion and rotational motion byfrictional force. Although not shown in the drawings, the secondaccommodation portion 232 of the connection member 230 may include a cutpart through which the connection member 230 can be snap-coupled to thesuspension bar 81.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tub, a suspension unit, anda stabilizer unit of the washing machine according to another embodimentof the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective viewillustrating some parts of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a perspective viewillustrating a tub, a suspension unit, and a stabilizer unit of thewashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIGS. 11 to 13, it is assumed that the direction of anarrow (B) shown in FIG. 11 is set to a forward direction of the washingmachine.

The tub and the suspension unit of the washing machine shown in FIGS. 11to 13 are identical in structure to those of the washing machine shownin FIG. 2, and as such a detailed description thereof will herein beomitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the stabilizer unit 300 may include astabilizer bar 310 having a predetermined length through which twosuspension units 80 can be connected to each other, and a mountingmember 320 configured to mount the stabilizer bar 310 to the tub 11.

The stabilizer bar 310 may be formed to have a cross-sectional viewhaving a hollow circular shape. The stabilizer bar 310 may be mounted tothe bottom surface of the tub 11 by the mounting member 320.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, two stabilizer bars 310 may berespectively arranged at both sides of the tub 11. That is, the firststabilizer bar 310 and the second stabilizer bar 310 may be respectivelyarranged in parallel at left and right sides of the bottom surface ofthe tub 11, and each of the first and second stabilizer bars 310 may bearranged to interconnect two suspension units 80 arranged at the frontand rear parts of each side.

Referring to FIG. 13, two stabilizer bars 310 may be respectivelyarranged in parallel at front and rear sides of the bottom surface ofthe tub 11, and each stabilizer bar 310 may be arranged to interconnecttwo suspension units 80 arranged at the left and right parts of eachside.

The stabilizer bar 310 may include a center part 311 mounted to thebottom surface of the tub 11, and an end part 312 curved at apredetermined angle in a manner that the stabilizer bar 310 is connectedto the suspension bar 81.

The mounting member 320 may fix the center part 311 of the stabilizerbar 310 to the bottom surface of the tub 11. The stabilizer bar 310 mayrotate about the center axis of the stabilizer bar 310 by the mountingmember 320, and may be mounted in a manner that the stabilizer bar 310can move in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The mounting member 320 may include a convex part 322 through which thecenter part 311 of the stabilizer bar 310 passes, and a fixing portion121 fixed to the tub 11. If necessary, an auxiliary member 324configured to fix the mounting member 320 may be provided at the bottomof the tub. The mounting member 320 may be fixed to either the tub 11 orthe auxiliary member 324 mounted to the tub 11 by a fixing member suchas a bolt contained in the fixing portion 321. A bush 323 forsuppressing vibration and noise caused by contact between the mountingmember 320 and the stabilizer bar 310 may be disposed in the convex part322. The bush 323 may be formed of rubber. The bush 323 may also allowthe stabilizer bar 310 to minimize the longitudinal translational motionand rotational motion by frictional force.

The suspension unit 80 may include a connection portion 330 to connectthe stabilizer bar 310 to the suspension unit 80. In more detail, theend part 312 of the stabilizer bar 310 may be connected to theconnection portion 330 provided at the lower end of the suspension unit80.

The connection portion 330 may be incorporated with the suspension bar81 in one body, and may include an accommodation hole 331 to accommodatethe end part 312 of the stabilizer bar 310 therein. The end part 312 ofthe stabilizer bar 310 may pass through the accommodation hole 331 ofthe connection portion 330, may rotate about the center axis of thestabilizer bar 310 in the accommodation hole 331 of the connectionportion 330, and may also perform the longitudinal translational motion.In addition, the accommodation hole 331 of the suspension unit 80 may beelongated in the longitudinal direction of the suspension bar 81, andthe stabilizer bar 310 may move in the longitudinal direction of thesuspension unit 80.

A bush 332 for suppressing vibration and noise generated by contact withthe stabilizer bar 310 may be disposed in the accommodation hole 331 ofthe connection portion of the suspension unit 80. The bush 332 may beformed of rubber.

Although not shown in the drawings, an additional device to prevent theend part 312 of the stabilizer bar 310 from arbitrarily escaping fromthe connection portion 330 of the suspension unit 80 may be provided asnecessary. In accordance with one embodiment, a screw thread may beformed in the end part 312 of the stabilizer bar 310, and the end part312 of the stabilizer bar 310 passes through the accommodation hole 331and is then fixed by a screw.

Although not shown in the drawings, the stabilizer unit 100 of FIG. 2 orthe stabilizer unit 200 of FIG. 9, and the stabilizer unit 300 of FIG.11 or 13 may be respectively arranged at the lateral surface and thebottom surface of one tub 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a stabilizer unit mounted toa tub of a washing machine according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating onesurface of a fixing member of the stabilizer unit of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 isa perspective view illustrating the other surface of the fixing memberof FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a bufferingmember of the stabilizer unit of FIG. 14. FIG. 18 is a perspective viewillustrating a connection member of the stabilizer of FIG. 14. FIG. 19is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first accommodation portion ofthe connection member of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a top view illustrating asecond accommodation portion of the connection member of FIG. 18.

The tub and the suspension unit of the washing machine shown in FIGS. 14to 19 are identical in structure to those of the washing machine shownin FIG. 2, and as such a detailed description thereof will herein beomitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 14, the stabilizer unit 400 may be mounted tothe tub 11, and may interconnect two suspension units 80. In addition,the stabilizer unit 400 may include a stabilizer bar 410 having apredetermined length through which two suspension units 80 can beconnected to each other, and a mounting member 420 configured to mountthe stabilizer bar 410 to the tub 11.

A mounting portion 421 to which the stabilizer bar 410 can be mountedmay be provided at the external surface of the tub 11. The stabilizerbar 410 may be mounted to the mounting portion 421 of the tub 11 by themounting member 420. Preferably, the stabilizer bar 410 may be mountedto the upper portion of the external surface of the tub 11.

The stabilizer bar 410 may be formed to have a cross-sectional viewhaving a hollow circular shape, and may be curved to correspond to acurvature of the external surface of the tub 11 in a manner that someparts of the external surface of the cylindrical tub 11 are enclosed bythe stabilizer bar 110 in the circumferential direction.

If necessary, two stabilizer bars 410 may be respectively arranged atleft and right sides of the tub 11. Each stabilizer bar 410 may bearranged to interconnect two suspension units 80 arranged at the frontand rear parts of each side.

The stabilizer bar 410 may include a center part 411 curved and mountedto the external surface of the tub 11, and an end part 412 curved at apredetermined angle in a manner that the stabilizer bar 410 can beconnected to the suspension bar 81.

The mounting member 420 may fix the center part 411 of the stabilizerbar 410 at the side surface of the tub 11. The stabilizer bar 410 mayrotate about the center axis of the stabilizer bar 410 by the mountingmember 420, and may be mounted in a manner that the stabilizer bar 410can move in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the circumferentialdirection of the tub 11) of the stabilizer bar 410 along the externalsurface of the tub 11.

The mounting member 120 may include a buffering member 440 through whichthe center part of the stabilizer bar 410 passes, and a fixing member430 configured to fix the buffering member 440 to the mounting portion421.

The mounting portion 421 may include a first portion 422 elongated fromthe lateral surface of the tub 11, and a second portion 423 elongatedfrom the lateral surface of the tub 11 at a specific position at whichthe second portion 423 is spaced apart from the first portion 422 by apredetermined distance so as to accommodate the buffering member 440.The buffering member 440 may be disposed between the first portion 422and the second portion 423.

The buffering member 440 may be formed of rubber in such a manner thatthe stabilizer bar 410 can minimize the longitudinal translationalmotion and rotational motion and vibration and noise caused by contactbetween the stabilizer bar 410 and the tub 11 can be suppressed.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the fixing member 430 may include a head431 supported by the top surface of the first portion 422 of themounting portion 421, and at least one fixing pin 432 elongated from thehead 431 to pass through the mounting portion 421 and the bufferingmember 440.

Preferably, the fixing member 430 may include two fixing pins 432. Ifthe buffering member 440 is fixed to the mounting portion 421 by twofixing pins 432, the buffering member 440 can be prevented from rotatingon the condition that the buffering member 440 is mounted to themounting portion 421.

The fixing member 430 may be formed of a plastic material, and eachfixing pin 432 may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The fixingmember 430 may include a cut part 434 provided in each of the fixing pin432 and the head 431 in a manner that the fixing member 430 can beelastically deformed by external force.

In addition, a separation prevention portion 433 configured to preventthe fixing member 430 from escaping from the mounting portion 421 may beprovided at a lower part of the fixing pin 432. The separationprevention portion 433 may be formed in the shape of an elastic hook,the fixing pin 432 may pass through the mounting portion 421 and may becaught in the bottom surface of the second portion 423 of the mountingportion 421.

Referring to FIG. 17, the buffering member 440 may include a body 441formed of an elastic material such as rubber, a first through-hole 442provided at the body 441 so as to accommodate the stabilizer bar 410,and a second through-hole 443 provided at the body 441 so as toaccommodate the fixing pin 432 of the fixing member 430.

The first through-hole 442 may include a cut part through which thestabilizer bar 410 can be pushed from the lateral surface of the firstthrough-hole 442 in a manner that the first through-hole 442 canaccommodate the stabilizer bar 410 therein.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 18, 19, and 20, the stabilizer unit 400 mayinclude a connection member 450 configured to connect the stabilizer bar410 to the suspension unit 80. In more detail, the end part 412 of thestabilizer bar 410 may be connected to the suspension bar 81 of thesuspension unit 80 through the connection member 450.

The connection member 450 may be formed of a plastic material, and mayinclude a first accommodation portion 460 to accommodate the end part412 of the stabilizer bar 410 and a second accommodation portion 470 toaccommodate the suspension bar 81. The end part 412 of the stabilizerbar 410 may pass through the first accommodation portion 460 of theconnection member 450, and the end part 412 of the stabilizer bar 410may rotate about the center axis of the stabilizer bar 410 in the firstaccommodation portion 460 of the connection member 450, and may performthe longitudinal translational motion. In addition, the suspension bar81 may also pass through the second accommodation portion 470 of theconnection member 450, and the connection member 450 may rotate aboutthe suspension bar 81 and may perform the translational motion in thelongitudinal direction of the suspension bar 81.

A compression portion 413 may be formed at the end of the stabilizer bar410. As a result, after the stabilizer bar 410 is accommodated in thefirst accommodation portion 460 of the connection member 450, thecompression portion 413 prevents the stabilizer bar 410 from arbitrarilyescaping from the connection member 450. The compression portion 413 maybe formed by pressurizing the end part of the stabilizer bar 410 in amanner that the compression portion 413 has a longer diameter than thediameter of the stabilizer bar 410.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the first accommodation portion 460 of theconnection member 450 may include a body 461 through which thestabilizer bar 410 passes, and a coupling portion 462 to be coupled tothe second accommodation portion 470. The coupling portion 462 may beelongated from the lateral surface of the body 461. In other words, thecoupling portion 462 may be elongated from the body 461 in a directionperpendicular to the stabilizer bar 410.

The connection member 450 may include a buffering member 490 configuredto suppress vibration and noise caused by contact with the stabilizerbar 410. The buffering member 490 may be formed of a felt material. Thebuffering member 490 may be arranged to enclose the stabilizer bar 410in the internal space 468 of the first accommodation portion 460.

An insertion hole having a longer diameter than the diameter of thestabilizer bar 410 may be provided at one end of the body 461 such thatthe buffering member 490 can be inserted into the insertion hole. Athrough-hole 466 having a diameter shorter than the diameter of theinsertion hole may be provided at the other end of the body 461 so as toprevent separation of the buffering member 490, and the stabilizer bar410 can pass through the through-hole 466.

A cap 480 for covering the insertion hole to prevent separation of thebuffering member 490 may be mounted to the end of the body 461 of thefirst accommodation portion 460 in which the insertion hole of thebuffering member 490 is provided.

The cap 480 may include a through-hole 482 through which the stabilizerbar 410 passes, and a recess 483 configured to store a lubricant to besupplied to the through-hole 482. The recess 483 may be formed to have alonger diameter than the diameter of the through-hole 482 so as toenclose the through-hole 482, and may include a lubricant.

A recess 467 having a longer diameter than the diameter of thethrough-hole 466 so as to enclose the through-hole 466 may be providedat the other end of the body 461 of the first accommodation portion 460.The recess 467 may store a lubricant to be supplied to the through-hole466 provided at the other end of the body 461 of the first accommodationportion 460.

The lubricant stored in respective recesses (483, 467) may graduallypenetrate respective through-holes (482, 466) according to movement ofthe stabilizer bar 410 which moves in a direction perpendicular to therespective through-holes (482, 466).

In order to prevent separation of the cap 480 mounted to the firstaccommodation portion 460, the body 461 of the first accommodationportion 460 may include a catching portion 465, and the cap 480 mayinclude a catching hole 481 capable of being caught in the catchingportion 465.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the second accommodation portion 470 mayinclude a body 471 to accommodate the suspension bar 81, and a couplingprotrusion 472 elongated from the body 471 in a manner that the secondaccommodation portion 470 can be hinged to the first accommodationportion 460.

The coupling portion 462 of the first accommodation portion 460 mayinclude a coupling hole 463 configured to accommodate the couplingprotrusion 472 of the second accommodation portion 470. The couplingportion 462 of the first accommodation portion 460 may include a rampportion 464 configured to guide the coupling protrusion 472 of thesecond accommodation portion 470 in a manner that the secondaccommodation portion 470 can be easily snap-coupled to the couplingportion 462 of the first accommodation portion 460.

The coupling protrusion 472 of the second accommodation portion 470 mayinclude a taper portion 476 in a manner that the taper portion 476 canbe easily inserted into the ramp portion 464 provided at the couplingportion 462 of the first accommodation portion 460.

Referring to FIG. 20, the body 471 of the second accommodation portion470 may include a through-hole 473 to accommodate the suspension bar 81therein, and the through-hole 473 may include a cut part 474 throughwhich the suspension bar 81 can be accommodated through the lateralsurface of the through-hole 473.

In addition, at least one recess 475 configured to store a lubricant maybe formed at the internal surface of the through-hole 473 in thelongitudinal direction of the through-hole 473.

The center part 411 of the stabilizer bar 410 is connected to the tub 11and both end parts 412 of the stabilizer bar 410 are connected to thesuspension bar 81, such that three-dimensional (3D) vibration (i.e.,up/down vibration, forward/backward vibration, left/right vibration) ofthe tub 11 may generate the bending force and the torsional force in thestabilizer bar 410. 3D vibration of the tub 11 can be effectivelyattenuated by the stabilizer bar 410, the mounting member 420, and theconnection member 450 of the above-mentioned stabilizer unit 400.

A connection member according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include a temporary fixing device in the secondaccommodation portion so as to facilitate the coupling process betweenthe first accommodation portion and the second accommodation portion.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a second accommodationportion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.22 is a view illustrating that the second accommodation portion of FIG.21 is temporarily fixed to a suspension cap.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the remaining constituent elements of thesecond accommodation portion 470 other than the temporary fixing device479 are identical to those of the second accommodation portion 470 shownin FIGS. 14 to 20, and as such a detailed description thereof willherein be omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 22, the suspension unit 80 may include asuspension cap 84 connected to both ends of the suspension bar 81. Thesuspension cap 84 may include a head 841 supported by a holder 60 formedat the upper portion of the cabinet 10, and a collar 842 extending fromthe head 841 to accommodate one end of the suspension bar 81.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, a temporary fixing device 479 is providedin the second accommodation portion 470 of the connection member 450,such that the second accommodation portion 470 can be detachably coupledto the suspension cap 84. In more detail, the temporary fixing device479 is provided at one end of the body 471 of the second accommodationportion 470, such that it can be coupled to the collar 842 of thesuspension cap 84.

The temporary fixing device 479 may include a ring-shaped base 477connected to one end of the body 471 of the second accommodation portion470, and a coupling portion 478 extending from the base 477 so as toaccommodate the collar therein. The coupling portion 478 may be formedin a serrated shape for elastic deformation such that it can bedetachably coupled to the collar 842.

The temporary fixing device 479 may be formed of a plastic material asin the second accommodation portion 470, and may be incorporated withthe second accommodation portion 470 in one body.

The second accommodation portion 470 may be temporarily coupled to thesuspension cap 84 by the temporary fixing device 479, prior to acoupling process between the second accommodation portion 470 and thefirst accommodation portion 460. Thereafter, the second accommodationportion 470 is separated from the suspension cap 84 in the abovecoupling process, and may be coupled to the first accommodation portion460.

Although not shown in the drawings, both ends of the stabilizer unitaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure are notconnected to a plurality of suspension units by the connection member,and only one end of the stabilizer unit may be connected to thesuspension unit by the connection member.

Referring to FIG. 14, the center part 411 of the stabilizer bar 410 maybe cut or severed. In other words, the stabilizer bar is formed in a Vshape, such that one end may be connected to the tub by the mountingmember and the other end may be connected to the suspension unit by theconnection member.

As is apparent from the above description, the washing machine accordingto embodiments can reduce tub vibration displacement caused by excessiveunbalance mass generated during the washing/dehydration processes, andcan increase a diameter of the tub within the same frame size, resultingin increased tub capacity.

In addition, the washing machine according to embodiments can reducevibration displacement of the tub, and can reduce the number of contacttimes between the tub and the frame and excessive vibration, resultingin reduction of a total washing time of laundry.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a plurality of suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, and each of the plurality of suspension units are separately spaced around the tub, and interconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported by the cabinet, and including a plurality of suspensions bars connected to a first holder formed at the cabinet and a second holder formed at the tub; and a stabilizer unit configured to interconnect the plurality of suspension bars between the first holder and the second holder, and mounted to the tub, wherein the stabilization unit includes at least one stabilizer bar having a V-shape configured to limit a horizontal displacement of the tub and shorten a distance between the tub and the cabinet.
 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one stabilizer bar includes a first end connected to a first suspension unit and a second end connected to a second suspension unit among the plurality of suspension units; and the stabilizer unit further includes a mounting member configured to mount the at least one stabilizer bar to the tub.
 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein: the stabilizer unit further includes: a connection member to connect the at least one stabilizer bar to one of the at least two suspension units, and the at least one stabilizer bar is mounted to a lateral surface of the tub by the mounting member.
 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the stabilizer bar is arranged at a bottom surface of the tub by the mounting member.
 5. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a plurality of suspension units configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, and each of the plurality of suspension units are separately spaced around the tub, and interconnect the tub and the cabinet such that the tub is supported by the cabinet, and including a plurality of suspension bars connected to a first holder formed at the cabinet and a second holder formed at the tub; and a stabilizer unit configured to connect the tub to the plurality of suspension bars between the first holder and the second holder, wherein the stabilizer unit includes: a stabilizer bar configured to enclose some parts of a lateral surface of the tub in a circumferential direction, the stabilizer bar having a V-shape configured to limit a horizontal displacement of the tub and shorten a distance between the tub and the cabinet; a mounting member configured to mount the stabilizer bar to the lateral surface of the tub; and a connection member configured to connect the stabilizer bar to the plurality of suspension bars.
 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein: a first end and a second end of the stabilizer bar are bent at a predetermined angle so as to receive bending force; and each of the first end and the second end of the stabilizer bar are connected to different suspension units by the connection member so as to receive torsional force.
 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a mounting portion provided at an external surface of the tub such that the mounting member is mounted thereto, wherein the mounting member includes a buffering member accommodated in the mounting portion and a fixing member which fixes the buffering member to the mounting portion.
 8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein: the mounting portion includes a first portion extending from a lateral surface of the tub, and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and extended from a lateral surface; and the fixing member includes a head supported by the first portion of the mounting portion, and at least one fixing pin extending from the head so as to pass through the mounting portion and the buffering member.
 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein: the at least one fixing pin is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow; and the at least one fixing pin and the head are elastically deformed.
 10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the buffering member includes: a body formed of an elastic material; a first through-hole disposed in the body so as to accommodate the stabilizer bar; and at least one second through-hole disposed in the body so as to accommodate the at least one fixing pin.
 11. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein: each of the plurality of suspension units includes a suspension bar and a suspension cap; the connection member is configured to connect at least one stabilizer bar to the suspension bar; and the connection member includes a first accommodation portion to accommodate one end of the stabilizer bar and a second accommodation portion to accommodate the suspension bar.
 12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the first accommodation portion includes: a body through which the stabilizer bar passes; and a coupling portion extending from the body so as to be coupled to the second accommodation portion.
 13. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the connection member includes: a buffering member disposed in the body of the first accommodation portion so as to enclose the stabilizer bar.
 14. The washing machine according to claim 13, wherein: one end of the body of the first accommodation portion includes an insertion hole in which the buffering member is inserted; the connection member includes a cap mounted to the one end of the body of the first accommodation portion so as to prevent separation of the buffering member, and the cap includes a through-hole through which the stabilizer bar passes, and a recess to store a lubricant to be supplied to the through-hole.
 15. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the second accommodation portion includes: a body to accommodate the suspension bar; a coupling protrusion through which the second accommodation portion is hinged to the first accommodation portion, wherein the coupling protrusion extends from the body of the second accommodation portion, and the coupling portion of the first accommodation portion includes a coupling hole to accommodate the coupling protrusion.
 16. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein: the coupling portion of the first accommodation portion includes a ramp portion configured to guide the coupling protrusion in a manner that the second accommodation portion is easily snap-coupled; and the coupling protrusion of the second accommodation portion includes a tapered part through which the coupling protrusion easily enters the ramp portion.
 17. The washing machine according to claim 15, wherein: the body of the second accommodation portion includes a through-hole configured to accommodate the suspension bar, and the through-hole includes a cut part through which the suspension bar is accommodated through a lateral surface of the through-hole.
 18. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the first accommodation portion includes a temporary fixing portion detachably coupled to the suspension cap.
 19. The washing machine according to claim 18, wherein: the suspension cap includes a head supported by the cabinet, and a collar extending from the head so as to accommodate one end of the suspension bar; and the temporary fixing portion includes a ring-shaped base connected to one end of a body of the second accommodation portion, and a coupling portion extending from the ring-shaped base so as to accommodate the collar, wherein the coupling portion is formed in a serrated shape for facilitation of elastic deformation.
 20. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub disposed in the cabinet; a suspension unit configured to attenuate vibration of the tub, and connect the tub to the cabinet such that the tub is supported by the cabinet, and including a suspension bar connected to a first holder formed at the cabinet and a second holder formed at the tub; and a stabilizer unit configured to connect the suspension bar to the tub between the first holder and the second holder, wherein the stabilizer unit includes: a V-shaped stabilizer bar connected to the suspension unit and the tub; a mounting member arranged in a manner that the V-shaped stabilizer bar is mounted to the tub; and a connection member configured to connect the V-shaped stabilizer bar to the suspension unit. 